GOLD PROSPECTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22489, 5 August 1936, Page 16

GOLD PROSPECTING

AID FROM GOVERNMENT

SUM OF £24,500 PROVIDED

AMENITIES IN TOWNSHIPS

[BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER]

WELLINGTON, Tuesday

Promises made by tlio Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, on his visit to tho Hauraki Goldlield some mouths ago that ho would make every effort to assist tho development of tho industry are rellected in the estimates of tho Mines Department, which wero placed before tho House of Representatives to-night. In tlio course of Ins tour tho M inist.pr nl<n rlpplnrprl lii«; rlpm'rp to improve the social conditions in the mining townships. An outstanding item in these estimates is that of £20,000, which, it is stated, is required to assist in locating now reefs and developing mining propositions. There is also a sum of £'.'5,574 for the purchase of diamond and other drills and other appliances, while there is a further amount of £'looo for the maintenance of roads and works to facilitate prospecting in remote areas. Another new item in these estimates is the vote of £SOO for the provision of improved social amenities in mining townships, while £-'OO has been included for additions to libraries in mining townships. Last year £SO was provided for libraries and only £22 was expended. With tho assistance of the colliery owners in the district, it is proposed to assist in the formation of a bowling green at Renown for tho mine employees and the Mines Department is contributing £lO toward the cost. LABOUR DEPARTMENT VOTE LARGELY INCREASED £169,175 FOR EMPLOYMENT [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Tuesday A striking increase is noted in this year's estimates of the amount required to meet the salaries and expenses of the Labour Department, due largely to the fact that the sums now provided under the heading of employment promotion were, prior to June 1. 1986, provided for in the unemployment expenses vote. The total spent last year in this department was £44,971, whereas the total now allocated is £238,066, of which £169,175 is for the employment sub-division of the department. The Employment Promotion Act, 1936, which came into operation on June 1, provides that all administration expenses, with the exeeptiou of those relating to the assessment and collection of revenue, which are borne by the Land and Income Tax Department, are to bo paid from the Labour vote. The whole of the administration expenses, both in connection with the collection of employment tax and the disbursement of relief, may be recovered under this Act from the Employment Promotion Fund. Of the total of £169,175 provided for employment, the sum of £134,235 is required for salaries. Last year the sum expended on labour administration was £50,705, while this year's estimates provide a total of £70,367, of which £43,646 will be absorbed by salaries.

The estimates of the Labour Department include £2150 as the expenses of the New Zealand delegation to the conference of the International Labour Organisation at Geneva. For the purchase and maintenance of motor vehicles a sum of £3550 is provided as against £1279 expended last year. This is due to the increased inspection activities consequent on the passing of the new labour legislation. An increase in transfer and removal expenses from £lO7 to £750, and of travelling expenses and allowances from £2090 to £6450, is attributed to the same cause. YIELD FROM CUSTOMS ESTIMATE OF £9,100,000 MANY INCREASES EXPECTED [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday " The Customs revenue is dependent upon imports, and our ability to buy goods from other countries is, of course, governed by our exports," said tho Minister of Finance, tho Hon. W. Nash, in his Budget address. " For the export year ended on June 30 last, tho value of exports in Now Zealand currency was £53,660,000, compared with £42,954,000-for the previous year. Thus there is scope for a consider able expansion of imports, and the figures for recent months indicate that it is taking place. After a careful review of the position I have placed the estimato for Customs revenue for this year at £9,100,000, which is £939,000 in excess of tho amount received last year.

" The increasing turnover in goods will proportionately increase the yield from the sales tax, tho estimate for which shows a comparative increase of £437,000. Then the general improvement in economic conditions will, it is anticipated, be reflected in an increase of £55,000 in beer duty and £388,000 in highways revenue. The latter consists mainly of the proceeds from the petrol-tax and motor licence fees, and, as tho people generally will have more leisure and more earnings, both these items are expected to .show a substantial increase.

" The remaining large item of taxation, stamp and death duties, is exported to yield £368,000 more than was received Inst year. Death duties may return a somewhat greater sum this year, and the indications are that duty on instruments, impressed stamps, racing revenue, and amusement tax will all contribute to the increase.

" The estimate for receipts from interest is £200,000 below the amount received Inst year, mainly due to the fact that an anticipated increase in railway revenue will be more than offset by the cost of restoring the salaries and wanes to the 10.J1 level and reducing the working hours of the staff. Consequently it iR estimated that interest payable to the Consolidated Fund by the railways will this year bo lower by £151,000. " Other receipts for this year are expected to be £615.3,000 in excess of the amount received under this heading last year. This is mostly due to the fact that the estimates allow for the transfer to the Consolidated Fund o: £575,000, profits on tho change over to our own silver coin."

Tho total estimated revenue from all sources for the year was £31,067,000, which is £4,894,633 moro than was received during the last financial year..